Photoinduced Regioselective Chalcogenation and Thiocyanation of 4H-Pyrido[1,2-a] pyrimidin-4-ones Under Benign Conditions

A lenient approach for regioselective C3−H chalcogenation and thiocyanation of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a] pyrimidin-4-ones is developed using visible light photocatalysis. This operationally straightforward method furnishes a broad array of C-3, Ar−S/Ar−Se and -SCN functionalized derivatives in moderate to high yields. This protocol employs visible light as an environmentally friendly energy source, cost effective inorganic persulfate-based oxidant and easily procurable dichalcogenides for regioselective C−H chalcogenation of the substrate at room temperature. Further, regioselective thiocyanation of 4H-pyrido[1,2-a] pyrimidin-4-ones was also developed. Mechanistic path for these transformations has been proposed based on light on/off and Stern-Volmer studies as well as quantum yield calculations.